A/N: This story took longer to complete than I had ever anticipated. I'm very thankful for all who have read, reviewed and favorited this piece. I hope you all enjoy one last look into my take on Paul and Bella.

SM owns all things Twilight.

I took a small bit of creative license towards the end. I wasn't able to find the information that I needed so I went with what felt right for this pair. You'll understand at the end. ;)

The Taming of Paul Lahote

Part 1

For several months, Paul and Bella dated as he slowly but surely regained her trust. He kept things light and gentle for fear of pushing her away which was something he would never do again. The holiday season was rolling back around and Paul was a man with a plan.

Over the course of a couple of weeks, he methodically mapped out her holiday gift. Given that his mate was not just any ordinary woman, she didn't want shiny or girly things. She wasn't impressed with extravagant shows of money or prestige. Her gift had to be different and very special so he needed to be sure everything was in place before the real festivities began.

"Are you sure about this? We are talking about Quil, you know?" Jared gave him a skeptical look. His best friend had helped him with everything up until this point. Now, he balked, unconvinced that this was the best of ideas.

"I'm sure. Give it a rest already." Paul's well known smirk was securely in place. This time, he knew what he was doing. "It will work. You'll see."

"Whatever, just don't come crying to me when that boy screws it all up which he is very seriously capable of doing by the way." Jared shook his head, skeptical. "How he nearly burned down his own house making popcorn is beyond me. Asking this of him is just asking for trouble."

Paul reached over to cuff Jared in the shoulder. "Have a little faith in me, bro. I've learned a few things about my girl. She'll love it."

RING!

Bella reached over to the kitchen table to pick up her cell phone. She was covered in flour and sugar. Her kitchen looked like a war zone. Everything that could possibly go wrong had. The oven wasn't cooperating. Her dad had had trouble getting his cruiser to start before going to work so he grumed around the house until the cruiser cooperated which threw her off her game so badly that she forgot to put baking powder in her cake. Then, she had to go to the store for more sugar before she could start the cookies. Baking was not her friend this morning.

"Hello?!" She snapped as she tucked the phone under her ear as she checked on another pan of cookies that were browning.

"Um…Bella, honey, are you ok?" Emily's voice carried over the line. She was checking in on her best friend's preparations for their annual Christmas party.

A heavy sigh escaped Bella's lips. "Yeah, I am. I'm sorry I snapped." She leaned against the kitchen cabinet, taking a momentary breather. "Nothing wants to go my way this morning. How are things with you?"

"You're going to love how Kim and I decorated last night, Bella. My living room looks so festive now." Emily gushed. "I can't wait until you come over. Still planning to be here by 6?"

"Yep, with or without these damn cookies, I'll be there." Bella laughed softly. Then, she caught the smell of scorched cookies. "Um, Em, I've got to go or I'll never be done in time. Talk to you tonight. Bye!" The call ended as Bella muttered under her breath as she pulled a pan of slightly singed cookies from the oven with a sigh. "Dammit."

At 5 pm on the dot, Paul knocked on the door. He already knew from many cranky text messages that Bella's day hadn't been the best so now, he was determined to put a smile back on his beautiful girl's face. Hurried sounds of stacking and shuffling came from the kitchen before she opened the door.

"Hey." Bella gave him a smile. There was flour in her hair and a smudge of butter on her cheek. In his eyes, she had never looked better.

"Hey you." Leaning forward, he captured her lips in a brief but loving kiss. "Are you about ready to go?"

She pulled him inside with a nod. "I need to grab a quick shower first." Her eyes caught his with a playful glint. "Will you stay out of the cookies while I'm upstairs?"

"Sure sure…my name is not Jacob or Quil so they're safe." Paul grinned, kissing her forehead before she went upstairs. He bided his time relaxing on the couch, wondering how the night would play out.

Ten minutes later, she walked back down wearing a pair of dark skinny jeans and a forest green sweater. Her chestnut brown hair hung down her back, making his mouth water in anticipation. Paul had developed a new obsession of playing with her long hair whenever she sat on his lap. He loved the feel and texture of it.

As soon as she was within reach, Paul grabbed her, pulling her into his arm and lap. "Maybe I don't want to go to this party. Maybe I just want to sit right here with you all night long." His nose nuzzled her neck, sniffing at her delicate strawberry scent, his chest rumbling delight. "Mine."

"Oh no you don't, Mister Lahote. I've been in the kitchen all day for this get together. There's no way you're talking me out of it. I don't care how sexy and handsome you are." She wiggled out of his lap to stand in front of him. "You did remember that we have a no gift rule between us, right?"

Paul's mouth turned into a pout. "Nothing? Not even those spice cookies that I love?" He batted his eyelashes at her, making her giggle.

"Ok, so I do have a small gift for you." Bella admitted. "Now get up or we'll be late."

"Alright…alright, I'm moving." He stood up. "And I'll admit that I might just have small something for you as well." With a playful glare from his girl, Paul allowed her to pull him into the kitchen. He gladly carried her bags of goodies out to his truck, carefully putting all of her handiwork into the back so that they wouldn't jostle. After helping her into the truck, he walked around the back to hide a knowing grin, thinking of his gift for her.

The annual Pack Christmas party began as it normally did with good natured ribbing, tons of food and lots of relaxed wolves. It wasn't often that their Alpha allowed them to have fun as a Pack but when he did, they always made the most of it. About an hour after eating, the bottles of res shine made the rounds, and even though the wolves couldn't physically get drunk, they did become more laid back as the evening wore on.

Bella, Emily and Kim were sitting around the kitchen table, chatting when Quil walked in with mistletoe in hand. Remembering his antics from previous years, they made an even bigger show of refusing his kisses. Emily shook her head vehemently and Kim blushed brightly, pushing him away. When Bella's turn came, the game changed a bit as she tried to stand and make a run for it. Sitting in the chair in the corner wasn't the wisest of choices at that moment. Quil quickly had her penned in between the wall and her chair with no escape.

"You know you wanna kiss me, Bella." His eyes twinkling with merriment and just a hint of too much moonshine.

Bella's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. She was unsure what to do since she had never found herself stuck like this. Before, she had always been able to wiggle out of these playful advances but this time, she saw no way out other than conceding to a quick kiss.

"Back off, Ateara." A heavy hand landed on his shoulder, pulling him gently but firmly away from Bella. "Let me show you how this is done." Paul stepped in between them, subsequently penning Bella even closer to the wall with a confident smirk. "How about a Christmas kiss, Bella?"

Memories of the last Christmas party flashed through her head, making Bella smile fondly. "Is this my gift that you mentioned earlier?" She bantered back playfully.

"You want your gift now, do you?" He leaned forward with a grin, putting his hands on the wall on either side of her head. His face was just inches from hers. "Maybe my wolf wants his kiss first."

Once upon a time, Paul's advances would have made her shut down due to her own insecurities and low self-esteem, but Bella wasn't that girl anymore. In fact, she could be demanding if the need arose. "Nope…gift first then kiss." She crossed her arms over her chest, giving him a mock glare.

"Well, you asked for it." Paul took a box out of his pocket and held it in the palm of his hand. "Here you go." He held it out to her, watching her closely for her reaction.

Puzzled, she took the thin, rectangular box, noticing that it was wrapped plainly and simply. Bella carefully opened it to find an intricately woven, colorful bracelet inside. When Paul took the bracelet out of the box for her, the room became very quiet and all eyes were focused on them.

"Bella, I've learned that you are not a woman impressed with money or expensive presents so I decided on something from the heart instead. I made this for you." He held up the bracelet up, one end in each hand in front of her. "Among my people, it is not our way to offer a ring to our loved one. This woven bracelet is our sign of commitment when a man puts it on the woman he loves. Would you wear this and become my wife?"

Lost in their moment, Bella teared up from the emotion and sincerity shining through Paul's eyes. All she could do was nod her head as words failed her. She held out her arm so that he could tie it on.

With his hands shaking from the intense feelings he was experiencing at that moment, Paul spoke as he wrapped it around her wrist. "In this past year, I've gone from being an out of control, overly aggressive, untrusting, domineering asshole to the man I am today. You've taught me patience, trust, humility, thoughtfulness and most importantly, how to open up to the one I love. You are my world, Bella Swan and I can think of nothing more that I want in this life other than you by my side. I promise to be continue to work on being the man, and husband, that you deserve." As he finished speaking, he tied the knot on the bracelet, making her his wife. "Would you like your kiss now?" His trademark smirk crossed his face as he leaned in once again.

The Pack erupted in applause and howls of delight. "You tamed the Beast, Bella!" Jared crowed with laughter, earning him a slap in the head from Kim.

As their lips came together, both Bella and Paul raised a single finger salute to Jared, laughing as they kissed. Theirs was not a perfect love by any means, but they knew that together they could take on the World. Together, they had it all.

THE END